mommy days.

I am so excited about our summer daycare arrangement!

We have to continue paying some over the summer to hold a space for Lawson in the fall. We went back and forth over whether to just pay for one child to go or to continue paying our normal full-time rate for both kids to go twice a week. This summer was an opportunity for us to save a little money before we go back to paying for two in daycare again. But... it is really nice for me to have those two days for doctor appointments, shopping trips, scrapbooking, or just alone time.

I talked to Jessi and the arragement we came up with is perfect! We're doing Tuesdays and Thursdays each week, but one week, the kids alternate days (Sophie on Tuesday, Lawson on Thursday), the other week, they both go Tuesday/Thursday. We save money on the weeks they alternate and on those weeks, we get to have a "Mommy/Lawson day" or a "Mommy/Sophie day."

This was a week they alternated, and each of the kids were so excited about their special day!

On "Mommy/Lawson day" we...
* dropped Sophie off
* had breakfast at our favorite local donut shop
* stopped at the park to play and see Daddy
* came home and played Chutes and Ladders, Hungry Hungry Hippos and set up lots of domino trains in the living room
* watched a movie, snuggled up on the couch (Lawson is still such a snuggler!)
* had lunch at home with Daddy
* rocked for a long time at nap time
* (Mommy took a nap, too!)
* picked up Sophie (he asked about 4 times, "Is it time to pick up Sophie?")
* stopped at the park to play and see Daddy again!


On "Mommy/Sophie day" we...
* dropped Lawson off
* had breakfast at our favorite local donut shop
* stopped at the park to see Daddy and take him a donut
* shopped Wal-Mart (I let her pick out a $1.46 pink mirror compact... she has been thrilled with it!)
* had lunch at home with Daddy
* watched her dance recital DVD while snuggled up on the couch
* went to Carter's to buy new pajamas
* stopped at Sonic for a Happy Hour drink
* stopped at the park to deliver a limeade to Daddy
* picked up Lawson (she didn't keep asking when it was time to pick him up, but she did say 4 times, "This is the best day ever!")

I didn't take a single picture either day. I just wanted to be focused on them, and not on trying to get good pictures. (Maybe next time, though!) They are both already talking about what they want to do on their next "Mommy day!" (I have a feeling the donut shop might be a constant, though!)

Next week, they will both go on Tuesday and Thursday and Mommy will have some "alone days!"

So excited about both weeks!
Thanks, Jessi, for being so flexible with us this summer!
You're the best! :)

marley.

This dog... is huge. Really huge.
Not the kind of dog I ever pictured myself having. (Although I'm not sure I ever really pictured myself with any dog.)
But Corey loves her.
And the kids love her.



She really is pretty smart.
And she obeys pretty well.
She loves attention and loves to play.



And after another trip to the groomer's tomorrow... she will smell a lot better.
(and we'll be able to see her eyes again)

first swim.

We had to put the little pool on the outside of the fence, in the driveway.
The day before, Corey had filled the pool up for Marley.
I knew there was no way she would let the kids be in there by themselves if she could help it.
She was still reaching with her giant paws, trying really hard to get the water through the fence!

19 weeks.

Hard to believe we are almost halfway there.
Hard to believe that 4 months ago I was sitting in the bathroom, looking at a little plus sign on a stick, thinking, "No way. No way. This cannot be right."

Next Tuesday we will (hopefully) find out if this baby is a boy or a girl.
This is the first baby that I have wanted to know ahead of time, so I'm hoping he/she will cooperate.
I'm still thinking girl and Corey and I actually have a girl name that we have agreed on!
I only had one boy name on my list and it is apparently gay...
so naming a girl would probably be easier. :)

yesterday.

* slept late. (Lawson was the first one up at 8:40!)

* 5 loads of laundry... washed, folded and put away

* cleaned/organized Lawson's closet

* sorted through all kids summer clothes

* fall/winter clothes taken out of dressers, spring/summer in

* filled 2 Rubbermaid tubs with fall/winter that will hopefully still fit next fall

* filled 2 Rubbermaid tubs with clothes that will not fit anyone again (to be stored in garage until we find out what kind of clothes baby #3 will wear! Then, we'll be doing some major cleaning out!)

* cleaned/organized Sophie's closet

* sorted through all maternity clothes, swapped out clothes in my closet/drawers

* vacuummed (quickly)

* quick trip to the cemetary to see all the flags

* out to eat (Corey and I in our grubby work clothes, Sophie in a cheerleading outfit.)

* bathtime/bedtime for the kids

The kids spent lots of time playing outside while Daddy worked on his project...
pictures of that will come later!

Busy day, but I love how it feels to cross things off "my list!"

memorial day.

Remembering those we have lost...

and grateful to those who have served our country.

johnny cash.

I just walked in on my 4 year old singing...

I shot a man in Reno,
just to watch him die.

Lovely.
Thank you for sharing your favorite musician with our children, honey.
But maybe "Folsom Prison" isn't the best choice. :)


(it was pretty cute to hear him trying to do the deep Johnny/Daddy voice, though!)

blast ball.

Blast ball...



It's pretty much like t-ball...


but there's only one base...

and when you jump on it...
it HONKS!


(I love how there are 6 kids going after the one ball!)


There are only 4 games and Lawson looked like this for 2 of them.
The other 2 games, he was all shy and scared to run to the base.
The first one, I think he just didn't expect all the parents and grandparents there. Cheering. Freaked him out a little.
The third game we had a different dad standing at 1st base (not our neighbor, Craig).

But the other two games...

He had a BLAST!

That's a pretty aggressive outfield... 5 of the 7 are sitting down, including the first baseman! :)

During one inning, Lawson found a shady spot to sit and play in the dirt.

Pretty sure this will be our last summer of ball games with Sophie, but I see a few more years in this little man's future!

pre-school program.

Skinna-marinky dinky-dink, skinna-marinky doo.
I love you.

I love you in the morning and in the afternoon...

I love you in the evening, underneath the moon...

One more year of pre-school for this little man next year.

Then those kindergarten teachers better be ready!

teacher gifts.

Easy teacher gifts for the last day of school... inspired by Meg.

done.

173 days with these little people.



Now I get to spend my days with the two little people I love the most.
And get busy preparing for a third little person.
So glad that it's summer!

recital.

My sweet little ballerina.



We couldn't take pictures during the recital, so this was dress rehearsal the night before.
I'm still amazed by that smile.
She can be so shy and quiet and afraid of the spotlight.
But not on this stage.



She kept looking at a little friend during their first performance and giggling...

but ballerinas can do that when they're 6.

Sophie and Abi... seriously melting my heart with those smiles.

mom's day.

Our Mother's Day picture next year will be very different...
a new little person will be added into the mix.

But we will probably still have pouting and silly faces...


yelling and more silly faces...


frustration and still more silliness...

But hopefully no one will be punching the baby in the face...

God really thinks I can handle another?

Seriously?

my mom.

Happy Mother's Day to my favorite mom!

The only thing I like better than having you for a mom...
is that my kids have you for a grandma.
I love you!

kindergarten recognition.

Still amazes me the difference in this little girl.
Two years ago at her first pre-school "graduation" she wouldn't go near the stage.
She's still shy. Still very reserved at times.
She doesn't like to be the center of attention.
But she did a wonderful job up on stage!

I did wish I had pulled her hair back, though. She has a nervous habit of twirling/playing/chewing on her hair. Luckily some of the actions kept her hands busy. :)

Getting her certificate from Mr. N. (see the hand in the hair?)

Abi, Gracie and Sophie... three little pink peas in a pod.

Sophie has loved being in your class, Mrs. Roux! Thank you so much for loving our daughter and for making her first school experience be so much fun!

Now, only 9 more days and this little girl is officially a first grader!